Panettone Bread Pudding

Let me start this post with a disclaimer: my husband did not approve of this dessert. Now, you might be asking yourself, "Why would you include this recipe on the blog?" Valid question. It is because he is CRAZY! Of all the dinner guests over at the house, Micah was the only one not ooooing and ahhhhhing over this thing. The real problem is, that he wants me to recreate the bread pudding at Canyon Restaurant, the BEST restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. The only way that impossible task will ever happen, is if the head chef invites me over himself for a personal baking lesson. Seriously, if you live in the Fort Lauderdale region and have never eaten at Canyon's you are missing the best Prickly Pear Margarita, amazing food and hands down the best white chocolate bread pudding with Chambord berry compote.

I found this recipe while browsing through Food and Wine's website. I had always had the idea of using panettone bread, rather than traditional bread, but was convinced I would create the recipe my usual way, fusing a few recipes together. Panettone is a sweet Italian bread. Though you can find it year round, it is traditionally a bread served in Italy for Christmas and New Years. It usually contains candied fruits, such as oranges and raisins and you can find some with chocolate chips (which Micah would have probably enjoyed.) I think this would be a decadent dessert to serve at your News Years Eve party! All it needs is a scoop of good quality Vanilla Bean ice-cream and let the count down begin.

Here is a song for your enjoyment as you are reading through the recipe. I wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year! Until next time, cheers and happy eating!



Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 2-quart baking dish. Toast 2 pounds sliced panettone bread, about 1 1/2 inches thick on the oven racks for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden. Cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes and transfer to the prepared baking dish.

In a saucepan, cook 1 stick unsalted butter over moderately low heat until nutty and the milk solids are brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Toss the butter with the panettone.

In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat 3 large eggs and 1 cup of sugar at medium speed until pale and thick, 2 minutes. Beat in 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg and a pinch of salt, then beat in 2 cups of heavy cream and one 12-ounce can of evaporate milk.

Pour the custard over the panettone; let stand for 1 hour, gently tossing now and then, until the custard is absorbed. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bake the bread pudding for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is golden and the custard is set.

Let cool for 30 minutes before cutting into squares. Serve warm, with a big scoop of vanilla ice-cream.